Regular Board Meeting Summary
West Branch Community School District
Meeting Date: August 10, 2026
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Hoover Elementary Library, 148 N. Oliphant St., West Branch, IA 52358
Meeting Overview
The Board held a Regular Board Meeting on August 10, 2026. The agenda included a public hearing related to the High School Greenhouse project, district mission and destination statements, student handbook recommendations, consent items, administrative reports, personnel items, volunteer approval, calendar revisions, and board policy updates.
Key Topics Discussed
High School Greenhouse Project Public Hearing
The meeting included a public hearing regarding the High School Greenhouse project.
The district shared that plans had been presented to the Board and were ready to move forward for bidding. The proposed project would:
- Replace the existing greenhouse in the same location.
- Include a new head house with additional storage capacity for supplies.
- Maintain a greenhouse size similar to the current structure.
- Target construction during the fall, with a goal of completing the project during October or November.
The recommendation listed for the hearing was to approve releasing the project for bid.
District Mission and Destination Statements
The Board reviewed the district’s established mission and destination statements.
The statements were developed through the work of the District’s School Improvement Advisory Committee (SIAC) in 2026.
Mission:
Through strong relationships, high expectations, and inclusive learning, we prepare every student to succeed in school, career, and life.
Destination:
All Students are prepared for a successful future.
8th Grade Participation in High School Sports
The Board reviewed recommendations regarding 8th grade student participation in high school sports.
The discussion focused on recommendations for inclusion in the student handbook.
Consent Items
Consent items included:
- Approval of minutes from the previous board meeting.
- Authorization for payment of monthly bills.
- Approval of monthly financial reports.
Supporting materials included meeting minutes, financial summaries, bills for approval, vendor information, financial control sheets, school finance reports, and business office notes.
Administrative Reports
Open Enrollment
The district reported open enrollment applications for the 2026–2027 school year.
Approved Open Enrollment Into the District
- Weston Owens — Grade 4
- Kellan Chaffee — Grade 9
Approved Open Enrollment Out of the District
- Quinn Chase — Grade 5
- Elliott Dunbar — Grade 5
- Hikari Howser — Grade K
- Jaycee Tresslar — Grade 10
Superintendent’s Report
The Superintendent’s August report was included as part of the administrative reports section.
Personnel Updates
The Board reviewed personnel items presented since the previous meeting.
Resignations
The following resignations were listed:
West Branch Community School District
- Eric Stenberg — High School Girls Basketball Coach
West Branch Community Early Learning Center
- Mercedes Oberbreckling — Childcare provider
- Ashley Shadley-Xu — Childcare provider
Letters of Assignment
The Board reviewed letters of assignment, including:
West Branch Community School District
- Jarod Tylee — High School Assistant Varsity Girls Basketball Coach, Step 5
- Shasta Wood — Health Office LPN, Step 6
- Wendy Bowie — Elementary Associate, Step 1
- William Maxwell — High School Varsity Assistant Football Coach, Step 5
- Cole Mather — Middle School Football Coach, Step 5
West Branch Community Early Learning Center
- Kelly McCorkle — Childcare provider
Volunteer Approval
The Board reviewed volunteer approval items.
The agenda listed volunteer areas including:
- Elementary
- Middle School
- High School
Listed volunteer:
2026–2027 School Calendar Revision
The Board reviewed revisions to the 2026–2027 school calendar.
The revision addressed moving high school parent-teacher conferences to coincide with elementary and middle school conferences.
Board Policy Updates
Second Reading Policies
The Board reviewed second readings of policies being updated to reflect Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) recommendations.
Policies listed:
- 502.16 — Disruptive Behavior
- 502.16R1 — Disruptive Behavior - Removal Procedures Regulation
- 502.16R2 — Disruptive Behavior - Removal Procedures for Nonviolent Behavior for Students with an IEP Regulation
First Reading Policies
The Board reviewed first readings of additional policy updates.
Policies listed:
- 603.12 — Technology and Instructional Materials
- 603.12E1 — Technology and Instructional Materials Exhibit
The agenda noted these updates were being made to reflect IASB recommendations.
Items Moving Forward
Topics continuing through district processes included:
- The High School Greenhouse project moving toward the bid process.
- Implementation of revised calendar plans for the 2026–2027 school year.
- Continued review and adoption of board policy updates.
- Ongoing personnel and administrative actions for the school year.
Meeting Materials Referenced
The agenda referenced supporting materials including:
- High School Greenhouse replacement specifications and drawings.
- 8th grade eligibility protocols for the student handbook.
- Previous meeting minutes.
- Financial reports and bills for approval.
- Business office notes.
- Superintendent’s Board Report.
- Revised 2026–2027 school calendar.
- Draft board policy documents.
